I picked up my devotional to a random page and it was about this passage in Exodus! Thought I would share…
‘We have battles that we are fighting as we journey through our lives. When we are faithful to extend her hands toward God and follow His leadership, He is faithful to bring us through to victory. Find some faithful friends who can hold up your arms when you were weary these friends will encourage you to continue to depend on the Lord all the way through each struggle. The Lord will bring you through to victory. You can say, “The Lord is My Banner!” ‘
I loved the subtle message of our lives not being our own! I frittered away so much time today (my day off), and reading about how God values us and wants us to be united to Him so that He can speak through us…I needed to hear that today.
Matthew 10:34-39 really spoke to me directly because I’ve been struggling with a family who is against my faith. They are what people call, “lukewarm” Catholics. They are against me being “Christian” and are very worldly people who don’t follow the Word. I have to read my bible in my room with the doors locked so no one sees me. The more I grow with God, the more it’s tearing me apart from my family. I’m praying on what God’s plan is, so any prayers for me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!
I’m just now reading through these pages. I hope that time has found you stronger in your faith. No one has ever discouraged me from a relationship with God. I’m so sorry you had/having to go through that. It just makes me realize even more that Jesus did so much for us and it cost him his life, So it’s no wonder that following him comes with a cost or a choice. Choose God and you will never lose.
I see this was written 12 months ago. I pray things have gotten better since? I’m in a similar situation. Although my husband and I live apart from my family there has definitely been made a separation between me and my “catholic” family. They don’t know the relationship with Christ to them He is not ALIVE. All we can do is keep praying for them and show them Christ through our actions.
I am catholic and very much know that Christ is alive and ever present. it isn’t very Christ like to bear false witness against your neighbor and assume what someone’s personal relationship with the Lord is like.
oh, Colleen, it sounds like that comment hurt. I’m sure that’s not how shannon meant it! She is not equating being Catholic and Christ not being present in their lives. They are two identifying marks that she saw correlation between, not causation. She’s not making a call on your (or Catholics in general) spiritual state, but is rather being discerning about some family members she personally knows. There are many people in the world who would call themselves Christians, but in truth, lack a real relationship with Christ. We are, indeed, called to be discerning, wise, and not easily swayed. We cannot be watered down by those who claim to be children of God but lack true fruit (and Paul warns about them!) Rather, we are to hold fast to the real hope set before us.
Monica, I was kind of thinking the same thing. Not throughout the whole book of Matthew but definitely this chapter, specifically where He says “14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” But perhaps there is something we are not understand; maybe someone will shed some light for us!
In the Old Testament God is much more fierce than in the New Testament because people as a whole have not been redeemed yet. They still have to sacrifice animals for their sins and if they don’t death is still their almost immediate punishment in some cases. However, once the lamb of God, Jesus, comes and dies as the human sacrifice for our wrong doing there is no reason for this ruthlessness until the end times. This is because people’s sins are now forgiven if they just repent an accept what God has done for them. I don’t know if that helps at all but I hope it does a little
I always see the verse you’ve mentioned (and the surrounding ones) as showing Jesus’ love and friendship for us and how he wants to protect us. Sounds weird right? Well like me explain why… I have been called by God to do mission and I so I get that often when sharing in places people can be brutally against what you speak. But the same is true in the western world too! People shut us down or judge us because of the message of the gospel that we stand for. When I read this I see God going with me into those difficult situations and reacting like a protective father or really close friend would: “don’t worry that you don’t feel like you’ve succeeded in being a witness and you feel discouraged. Just shake of their judgement and don’t let the dirt from that situation weigh you down and stop you from continuing to stand up for me in the next place you go (or the next situation you’re in).” This is how I see it. And when you read it like that you realise that in this moment Jesus is being a good friend to us and giving us some much needed advise for those moments when those we want to help reject us!
I find this passage to be so merciful. As disciples, we need to share the Gospel, but we aren’t told to stay in a place until everyone believes. We need to plant a seed and we can walk away if it doesn’t work. I feel like it takes so much pressure off of evangelizing. I’m not responsible for converting anyone, and likewise, Christians who badger others and abuse them for not following Christ are as in the wrong as those who don’t follow Christ. And like Sophie said above, we just need to shake off those who don’t receive us or those who persecute us for being Christ followers and move on. God has totally got us. And really, no matter where we are in the Bible or the language God uses, it all comes down to having an extremely merciful God who has not condemned us to death, but has provided a way back to Him. He prefers this to our death. He wants us. He wants to be with us. But there is only one way back, and He made it very, very clear. He makes it clear here in these passages so there is no mistaking it. He doesn’t want us to get it wrong, so he defines His mercy in no uncertain terms. He doesn’t need to be sweet and flowery in His tone. He’s doing this to save our lives. And anything short of final judgment is mercy.
I think Jesus is trying to get a point across. Discipleship comes with a cost. It is not an easy life; therefore it should not be an easy choice. True discipleship is NOT comfortable. It is a sacrifice and it’s important that people know what they’re getting into.
The best meal plan!
If you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.
Done❤️
❤️
I picked up my devotional to a random page and it was about this passage in Exodus! Thought I would share…
‘We have battles that we are fighting as we journey through our lives. When we are faithful to extend her hands toward God and follow His leadership, He is faithful to bring us through to victory. Find some faithful friends who can hold up your arms when you were weary these friends will encourage you to continue to depend on the Lord all the way through each struggle. The Lord will bring you through to victory. You can say, “The Lord is My Banner!” ‘
I loved the subtle message of our lives not being our own! I frittered away so much time today (my day off), and reading about how God values us and wants us to be united to Him so that He can speak through us…I needed to hear that today.
Matthew 10:34-39 really spoke to me directly because I’ve been struggling with a family who is against my faith. They are what people call, “lukewarm” Catholics. They are against me being “Christian” and are very worldly people who don’t follow the Word. I have to read my bible in my room with the doors locked so no one sees me. The more I grow with God, the more it’s tearing me apart from my family. I’m praying on what God’s plan is, so any prayers for me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!
Praying for you! I know what it’s like to live among others who discourage you from your faith! Stay strong because he is looking for those who endure
I’m just now reading through these pages. I hope that time has found you stronger in your faith. No one has ever discouraged me from a relationship with God. I’m so sorry you had/having to go through that. It just makes me realize even more that Jesus did so much for us and it cost him his life, So it’s no wonder that following him comes with a cost or a choice. Choose God and you will never lose.
Prayers are going up! Jeremiah 29:11
I see this was written 12 months ago. I pray things have gotten better since? I’m in a similar situation. Although my husband and I live apart from my family there has definitely been made a separation between me and my “catholic” family. They don’t know the relationship with Christ to them He is not ALIVE. All we can do is keep praying for them and show them Christ through our actions.
I am catholic and very much know that Christ is alive and ever present. it isn’t very Christ like to bear false witness against your neighbor and assume what someone’s personal relationship with the Lord is like.
oh, Colleen, it sounds like that comment hurt. I’m sure that’s not how shannon meant it! She is not equating being Catholic and Christ not being present in their lives. They are two identifying marks that she saw correlation between, not causation. She’s not making a call on your (or Catholics in general) spiritual state, but is rather being discerning about some family members she personally knows. There are many people in the world who would call themselves Christians, but in truth, lack a real relationship with Christ. We are, indeed, called to be discerning, wise, and not easily swayed. We cannot be watered down by those who claim to be children of God but lack true fruit (and Paul warns about them!) Rather, we are to hold fast to the real hope set before us.
Jesus seems so vicious in this book
Monica, I was kind of thinking the same thing. Not throughout the whole book of Matthew but definitely this chapter, specifically where He says “14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” But perhaps there is something we are not understand; maybe someone will shed some light for us!
In the Old Testament God is much more fierce than in the New Testament because people as a whole have not been redeemed yet. They still have to sacrifice animals for their sins and if they don’t death is still their almost immediate punishment in some cases. However, once the lamb of God, Jesus, comes and dies as the human sacrifice for our wrong doing there is no reason for this ruthlessness until the end times. This is because people’s sins are now forgiven if they just repent an accept what God has done for them. I don’t know if that helps at all but I hope it does a little
I always see the verse you’ve mentioned (and the surrounding ones) as showing Jesus’ love and friendship for us and how he wants to protect us. Sounds weird right? Well like me explain why… I have been called by God to do mission and I so I get that often when sharing in places people can be brutally against what you speak. But the same is true in the western world too! People shut us down or judge us because of the message of the gospel that we stand for. When I read this I see God going with me into those difficult situations and reacting like a protective father or really close friend would: “don’t worry that you don’t feel like you’ve succeeded in being a witness and you feel discouraged. Just shake of their judgement and don’t let the dirt from that situation weigh you down and stop you from continuing to stand up for me in the next place you go (or the next situation you’re in).” This is how I see it. And when you read it like that you realise that in this moment Jesus is being a good friend to us and giving us some much needed advise for those moments when those we want to help reject us!
I find this passage to be so merciful. As disciples, we need to share the Gospel, but we aren’t told to stay in a place until everyone believes. We need to plant a seed and we can walk away if it doesn’t work. I feel like it takes so much pressure off of evangelizing. I’m not responsible for converting anyone, and likewise, Christians who badger others and abuse them for not following Christ are as in the wrong as those who don’t follow Christ. And like Sophie said above, we just need to shake off those who don’t receive us or those who persecute us for being Christ followers and move on. God has totally got us. And really, no matter where we are in the Bible or the language God uses, it all comes down to having an extremely merciful God who has not condemned us to death, but has provided a way back to Him. He prefers this to our death. He wants us. He wants to be with us. But there is only one way back, and He made it very, very clear. He makes it clear here in these passages so there is no mistaking it. He doesn’t want us to get it wrong, so he defines His mercy in no uncertain terms. He doesn’t need to be sweet and flowery in His tone. He’s doing this to save our lives. And anything short of final judgment is mercy.
I think Jesus is trying to get a point across. Discipleship comes with a cost. It is not an easy life; therefore it should not be an easy choice. True discipleship is NOT comfortable. It is a sacrifice and it’s important that people know what they’re getting into.